Hey y’all! Another week and another Wedding Wednesday where I ask Tulle Nation for some advice and opinions. It’s about videography. Basically, I’m trying to figure out what the big deal is. WHY is hiring a videographer so damn important to so many people and WHY is it so expensive?
Image Courtesy of: Advanced Video
Now, don’t get me wrong. I am cheap but I’m not a cheapskate – I understand the concept of paying for quality and stellar services (after all, I’m handing over a whopping 1/3 of my entire budget to my wedding photographer). But… I’m on a serious budget y’all and wondering if it’s really necessary to hire a professional videographer on top of my photography team. Why not just set up a camera on a tripod and hit record (after all, that’s what we got for our Alaska civil ceremony)? I mean, I’m not looking for Oscar quality memories here – just a record of our Texas vows.
Image Courtesy of: Love Lyra
I know, I know. The quality is better, the sound is better, the editing is amazing. But I’m really not the kind of person who enjoys sitting around looking at videos of me (in my mind, that smacks of arrogance and narcissism) but I do want some kind of a remembrance of the day. Do I really want to shell out that kind of dough for a DVD that we’ll look at maybe once or twice ever? And let’s not even begin to talk about how much I haaaate those wedding videos where guests get handed the microphone and say something to the happy couple. Oy. Inevitably, someone is drunk, someone is stupid, someone tells an inappropriate story, and then some old person tries to give their drive-through window order. No. Thank. You.
Image Courtesy of: Dex Knows
And that brings me to the money issue. We have none. And, from my research, good wedding videographers start at around $1,200.00 in our area. START! That’s more than I’m planning on spending on booze and food for my reception. I just look at that monetary amount and hyperventilate thinking of what else I could be spending the money on.
So, Tulle Nation, tell me why I should go with a videographer on my wedding day? Or, tell me why you think it’s totally over-rated. Do you think they’re worth the price (and do you have any Texas Hill Country/Austin/San Antonio wedding videographers recommendations)? Or maybe you have some advice for me on DIYing a wedding video of our day. Bring it on… in the comments.
Elisabeth says
We aren’t getting one. It just isn’t in the budget. In this day and age, I am sure we can find one of our friends to hit the record button on a video camera during the ceremony. Anyway, I like the authenticity of a home movie more than some slick production package.
Sarah {A Paper Proposal} says
I didn’t hire a videographer, and I don’t regret it at all! I have tons of amazing photos to help me remember my day. Although I have heard many other brides say that they were so happy that they hired one, I can def relate to your thoughts on the subject.
Janna (Sparkly Love) says
If there’s no way you can fit it in your budget, then there’s no way. For my best friend’s wedding, we got her aunt to hold my DSLR in video mode. After the wedding I edited together shots of her coming down the aisle and the vows with still pictures and set it to one of her wedding songs. She loved it and it was perfect for her. I hired an amazing and very expensive videographer for my wedding. It didn’t fit in the budget, so I made a new budget. That was an option for us. It isn’t an option for everyone. It’s without a doubt my favorite thing from my wedding and I couldn’t imagine not having it. But if we really couldn’t have afforded it, I wouldn’t have done it. I have watched my highlights video nearly 50 times (I don’t have the longer version on DVD yet), but I can promise you I’ve never felt arrogant or narcissistic while watching it. I’ve only felt happiness, joy, and love reliving the best day of my life.
Bailey says
I couldnt fit it into my budget. You know when you get those little “to do” lists when you first get married..videography was the first think i crossed off.
Then i found a videographer trying to break into the biz. He wanted to film my wedding for free and i thought, what the heck?!!
Best decision ever!! I watch the video all the time with family and friends and its the easiest way to share that day. MY great grandmother couldnt come and some friends i wanted there and the video just captures so much more emotion then any photograph ever could.
I think there is a reason though when polls are done on this kind of stuff the number one regret of a bride is that she didnt get videography.
Rogue Bride says
I’m not having videography, at least not professional. If someone wants to come with their video camera, I won’t stop them, but it’s just not high on my priority list. I would like the speeches recorded, and our ceremony, but literally anyone could do that!
KraigAdams says
I think it’s wise to first understand more modern wedding cinematography vs. the preconceived notion of wedding video. There is a new revival of wedding film makers that use the word “cinematographer” to help people understand how we’re different from the “video recorder” that you seem to be talking a lot about.
Of course there are a multitude of levels and experience levels (as with any profession) that matches what each couple are looking for. It really comes down to if you want a video that makes you remember the wedding day while watching it or a handcrafted wedding film that evokes emotion and tells the story of the day.
It’s great that people are talking about this subject because I think that wedding film makers are making a comeback and deserve to be taken a little more seriously compared to photographers. Thanks for letting me put in my comments!
If you’d like to check out some of my work as a film making see the link below. Thanks!
http://kadamsmedia.com/weddings
Amanda says
Im a little confused as to why some of you would shell out more than 3 grand for photos and nothing for a film…. you cannot capture properly the look on your grooms face when you walk down the aisle, your vows, your speeches… if you do a first look how is a photo going to capture what your groom says to you in that moment? thats right, YOU CANT!
Im not saying don’t get photos, but why would you trust “uncle joe” with your live memories? after all is said and done all you have are memories, photos and your WEDDING FILM.
hands down a wedding filmmaker does more in post production time than any photographer, and they are in charge of capturing so much more on your wedding day than a photographer ever will be.
Basically what I got out of your blog post and these comments is that you all could really care less about your wedding day, you don’t value the moments that you are going to have or have had….
YOUR FILM IS WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO HAND DOWN TO YOUR CHILDREN AND YOUR CHILDRENS CHILDREN… ITS YOUR LEGACY THAT YOU ARE HANDING DOWN.
There is no way anyone will ever want to watch the crap video that a family member hit record on for you. but a quality wedding film is something that is timeless.
Chris York says
Watch this and get back to me 😉
http://vimeo.com/26579438
Or this
http://Vimeo.com/28839672
You will never hear those words or see those reactions the same way with just a photographer.
Jeff Brewer says
Videography is the number 1 biggest regret of most brides. Most do not see the value prior to the wedding but once it has gone and passed it is something that brides wish they had spent money on. Reality is, your flowers wilt, the dress goes in the closet, and the food gets devoured and often unappreciated by guests.
Photo and video give you a keepsake for your life and generations to come. I think that in and of itself is legitimate for the value. Beyond that, the amount of work, planning, shooting, editing, equipment, and actually running a legit business that pays taxes and overhead costs is really a lot of work and expenses. We do it because we love our job, not because it brings a huge income.
Please find me a videographer driving around a lexus or mercedes. Doesn’t happen because it’s not a highly profitable endeavor for the amount of work required. Instead the work is done out of joy and appreciate to create memories for a couple to enjoy their entire life.
On to your comment about the couple never watching it. My couples watch their films at least 8-15 times in a single month. They love it so much that they just enjoy it for a quick reminder or pick me up. Mind you I am not creating a lengthy static film. It is produced to entertain and to capture the wedding as a memory and story.
You are of course free to your opinion as am I. I only hope to help educate and not argue.
Michael Dontigney says
#1 Regret from newlyweds after their wedding day?
1. Get It On Film
So many brides told us they wished they’d sprung for a videographer, or given their wedding photographer more specific directions. Your wedding will be RIFE with special moments – make sure you capture as many as possible!
“My husband and I really regret not recording the speeches. They were so loving and beautiful, we were moved to tears again and again! It’s one of the best memories I have of that day and I wish we had a better record of all the kind things our family and friends had to say. A few gave us their typed notes but most strayed and added in some great anecdotes. Nothing about hair/makeup/venue or cakes mattered to me once I realized there were so many people there who loved us so much!” – Isabella
If you put a camera on a tripod and hit record, are you using a wireless mic to get the speeches? Do you enjoy watching surveillance videos? That’s what you’ll have. This only happens ONCE… You trust an uncle Joe to capture it for you?
CD says
Some other comments mentioned “filmmakers”… if you’re going to invest (keyword is invest, not spend), then find yourself a filmmaker that can tell a story with your wedding day. Wedding have taken a dramatic turn in the last 5 years.
One way to think about it is: would you rather watch the super bowl or look at pictures of it later? A wedding is a live event with all kinds of emotions wrapped up in the audio and motion (which photos cannot capture). I have a feeling the trend of photos being the most important is starting to turn to a wedding film being the most important with the way the films tell a story now days and look and feel like a movie! You could potentially budget 1/3rd to photos, but if you have people coming from out of town or family who may soon be gone… re-think about what you’re investing in. I would agree, if you’re spending money to have someone setup a tripod in a corner, that is money wasted and you probably won’t ever watch your video again. I would definitely recommend doing some more research before you make your thoughts concrete.
Tom says
Well it sounds like you answered your own question…if you’re not looking for Oscar quality memories (and willing to pay for them) then you won’t get them. And you don’t like sitting around looking at videos of yourself, but curiously you enjoy looking at pictures of yourself? Seems odd. Lastly, you don’t have any money to spend, so even if we show you the best wedding videos ever, how would you pay for it?
If you can’t afford someone good I would head down to the local college, find a student who has a canon rebel t2i, 60D, or t3i, and get them on board. They might do it for free if they are trying to build their portfolio. Next thing you need to do is this: (assuming you are having your ceremony and toasts amplified over a DJ’s system) ask your DJ if they can record the ceremony and the toasts and give it to you on a CD. Then give that CD to the student filmmaker and tell him this is the audio you want to use (it will sound a million times better than the crappy mic that’s on the camera). If you’re lucky enough to have them edit it then you have scored big. But if they won’t edit it, at least have them give you all the footage on a hard drive you provide so you can save the footage for later. Good luck!
KissMyTulle says
HOLY SHIT! I knew that the videographers would bring it! Hee.
Couple of things because it’s obvious that some of you don’t read my blog.
1. I don’t plan on sitting around gazing at photos of myself. I am a for-profit blog and most of them will be used for content and publicity.
2. I have already gotten married once and have never actually watched the video. It features my recently departed dad but I am such a pathetic loser that I cannot bring myself to watch it because I HAAAATE the way I look and the sound of my voice.
3. We are not young. This is not The Biggest Moment of Our Lives. It is simply one of many. I am not drinking your Kool-Aid.
That being said, THANK YOU videographers for voicing your opinions – especially regarding the difference between wedding videos then versus wedding video now. I think that this argument is the one that is making me stay on the fence. I love storytelling and know that photographs won’t tell the whole story.
Everyone please continue to chime in! I really do read every comment (except the ones blatantly pitching themselves instead of showing examples to solidify their argument). THANK YOU!
AydinOdyakmaz says
As many other have pointed out, it is a matter of what may be important for one and not another. If you don’t think its for you fine, but there is no need to demean the profession and make it sound simple. Many of my colleagues have spent years mastering their art and most can shoot photos very well, we just choose to tell a story by movement which most people appreciate. I personally have filmed many wedding over the past 10 years, but also film promotional , corporate and event films. I still enjoy the joy that I bring to couples when they watch their wedding film. Something you will never understand.
KissMyTulle says
AydinOdyakmaz – Obviously I touched a nerve
What I find interesting is that you automatically assumed that, because I don’t know anything about wedding videography and was asking people for their honest opinions with the information/viewpoint that I did have, that I “demean the profession and make it sound simple.”
On the contrary, I was hoping that my honest confusion and questions (which MANY, MANY couples have) would spark a discussion that would allow wedding videographers to educate brides like me who are honestly confused and bewildered.
I wish you much luck with your business and your future.
A Facebook User says
Hi, Cris,
First, I was offended, but then I read it again, and somewhat understand better where you are coming. I myself is a wedding filmmaker, and I just met with a couple for a drink at the local bar to drop off their wedding DVDs. It’s funny because they (just like most of our couples) have opposite point of view. I will be honest. They were probably thinking the same thing as what you wrote here. And that’s why we, as event filmmakers, try our best to help couples that have doubt about having a wedding film for their wedding.
(but before I go on, please don’t use phrase like “HOLY SHIT. Videographers are crapping on Photographers” on social media like twitters. It really downgrade your personality, because we are NOT crapping on them.. It’s easy to say, right? We could easily say you were crapping on us. but anyway)
A lot of us love to show how the wedding videos have transformed to be more like wedding film. It doesn’t have to be all cinematic and hollywood-movie-like. It could be totally down to earth, honest and organic wedding film to tell the stories about couple. In unique on their own. Don’t most of your readers want to be different and unique in certain way? We simply want to capture that, so that you can relive the moment and experience the joy, happiness, and love of your beginning.
Sure, some people watch once a year or two, probably because their wedding video wasn’t that good. But look at some of those beautiful wedding films out there! some people even watch total strangers’ wedding film more than once a day! It’s changing, Cris, and we are trying very hard to show and share what the wedding film can do. If we are making something that collect dust on the shelf, we wouldn’t charge what we charge. Because we are making something hell lot more than that, we charge what we charge.
Hope that helps a little bit.
Wish you all the best.
Thanks.
JJ
Travis says
To simply answer your question about cost, a typical videographer/cinematographer will have to bring 3 times the amount of gear as a photographer to shoot a wedding (gear is expensive). The wedding itself is also much more difficult to shoot for video/film than for photography (dealing with audio alone doubles the difficulty .. bad audio equals bad video .. no way around it). Following the wedding the typical filmmaker is going to spend double or triple the time in post production as your photographer (maybe even more). So, take into account these factors and you’ll understand that you should be paying MORE for a filmmaker than you do for a photographer.
And before you go all ‘holy shit’ on me please understand our studio provides photography services as well, so I know what I’m talking about.
If it’s not important to you, don’t spend the money. But just be aware that not getting a video is the #1 regret brides have after the wedding according to numerous polls over the past decade.
Cheers!
Nicole (@BigDayfor10K) says
Well whoa. First of all, as a fellow blogger — I respect you, Cris, and everything you wrote above; and never once thought you were bashing or badmouthing wedding videography, film makers, whatever the title or line of work. You were simply stating your opinion and that’s more than acceptable. I mean, this IS your blog, afterall.
Secondly, I understand and definitely read this as you seeking opinions and insight, not trying to incite a fight. That being said, for those of you who have commented with attacks, shame on you. I’d venture to say that your career would give you something better to do than harass a blogger for her opinion.
And third, as a newlywed myself, I didn’t get a videographer (or a film maker, or a cinematographer, for that matter).
We cared far more about investing the money with a photographer who would provide us with photos to hang on our walls, set up on our mantle… forever.
Do I think wedding videos are awesome? Yes, some. But I’d rather look at pictures for the rest of my life than have a DVD in our media cabinet that we pop in once or twice.
The bottom line here is that different people like different things; value different things; want different things… leading different couples to allocate their funds accordingly. This shouldn’t spark a fight between photographers and videographers. It shouldn’t spark a fight between blogger and angry vendor.
Some people value video. Some don’t. I’m one of the latter.
And, in regards to the comment (can’t remember who it was) regarding the fact that a photographer can’t capture the important moments; that’s just complete bull. Hate to say it, and be a bitch, and call you out but I call BS. My photographer captured every single emotion and moment that I wanted her to, and then some.
That’s my two cents. Boom.
Cassidy says
We want a video for our family that can’t be there. I really want my Papa to be able to hear my vows, and see how we look on the day. For that reason I looked around for videographer. I’d as like to show it to my kids one day.
However, I didn’t want to spend a fortune, so I looked at companies that offered it. We live in a semi- destination wedding area, so I found a company that does it separately. $275 for the ceremony and $75 for each hour of the reception.
KissMyTulle says
Wow. Cannot BELIEVE the response this post got – so much information and opinions. I’m blown away.
I think that Kiss My Tulle definitely needs to revisit this issue soon. I’m thinking that I need to contact a couple of your videographers and do some one-on-one interviews to help educate me and other couples on what exactly you do and how to work with a videographer within your budget.
P.S. THANK YOU to Travis for answering my $$$ question – I truly never considered (but totally knocked myself upside the head when you pointed it out) that audio is THE most important thing but also SO expensive. Good to know and thanks for sharing.